Display apparatus



March 13, 1951 MONSERRAT 2,545,103

DISPLAY APPARATUS Filed May 5, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I u ventor E nrique- Monserra/ March 13, 1951 E. MONSERRAT 2,545,103

DISPLAY APPARATUS Filed May 5, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 In ventor Enrique Monserraf March 13, 1951 E. MONSERRAT DISPLAY APPARATUS Filed May 5, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 70 ll? F! g. /0

I u ventor Enrique Manse/ml March 13, 1951 MONSERRAT 2,545,103

DISPLAY APPARATUS Filed may 5, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig.5.

36 mg as 72 1E [m eutor Enrique Manse/rat March 13, 1951 5, MQNSERRAT 2,545,103

DISPLAY APPARATUS Filed May 5, 1949 s Sheets-Sheet 5 Enrique Manse/ml Patented Mar. 13, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DISPLAY APPARATUS Enrique Monserrat, Manila, PQI.

Application May 5, 1949, Serial No. 91,495

" 8 Claims. 1 c

This invention relates to new and useful improvements and structural refinements in display apparatus, and in particular the invention concerns itself with an apparatus for displaying commercial advertisements provided on a plurality of individual display panels which are successively exhibited in a sight opening or window so as to attract the attention of potential observers and to successively convey to them a series of advertising messages. Although the invention is primarily intended for commercial advertising purposes, it will become obvious that it may be employed in other similar fields, such as for example, as an entertainment or educational appliance capable of bringing a succession of photographs or pictures before the eyes ofstudents or the like.

important feature of the invention therefore resides in the provision of the instant apparatus which utilizes a plurality of individual display panels nested one upon another in a stack and having display material provided on upper a well as lower surfaces thereof, together with means for individually and successively conveying panels from the bottom of the stack to an exhibiting station and thereafter depositing the exhibited panels at the top of the stack'in 'an inverted position, so that both surfaces of the panels are exhibited in alternate succession.

The invention is adapted to be used while being of means for supporting, stabilizing, guiding and I automatic operation, in its pleasing appearance,

and in its adaptability to economical manufacture.,

With the above more important objects and features in view, and such other object and features as may become apparent as this specification proceeds, the invention consists essentially of the arrangement and construction of parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the dis play panels used in the invention;

' Figure 3;

Figure 3is a cross-sectional view, taken sub-. stantially in the plane of the line 33 in Fi ure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken in a substantially hrizontal plane through the assembly illustrated in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of the line 55 in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the frame an housingused in the invention;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of one of the cam members used in the invention;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional detail illustrating the attachment of the cam member to the frame;

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of the line 9-9 in Figure 4;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective view showing one of the cam members, panel actuating fingers and panels;

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional detail, taken substantially in the plane of the line lI-ll in Figure 12 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view,

taken substantially in the plane of the line l2-I2 in Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a group perspective view of one of Figure 15 is a group perspective view showing the mounting of one of the finger-supporting guides;

Figure 16 is used in the apparatus;

Figure 1'7\ is a fragmentary elevational view,-

similar to that shown in Figure 16, but illustratrelatively different position;

Figure 18 is a cross-sectional detail, taken substantially in the plane of the line ill-18 in Figure 16;

I Figure 19 is a fragmentary topplan view of the subject shown in Figures 16 and 1']:

Figure 20 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to that illustrated in Figure 3, but showing a modified embodiment of the invention;

Figure 21 is a fragmentary cross-sectional detail, taken substantially in the plane of the line 5 2 l-ZlinFigure 20;

a fragmentary side elevational view of'the panel-controlling and stabilizing means Figure 22 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing a still further modified embodiment of the invention, and

Figure 23 is a cross-sectional detail, taken substantially in the plane of the line 2323 in Figure 22.

Like characters of reference are employed to designate like parts in the specification and throughout the several views.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, the invention consists of a display apparatus designated generally by the reference character 30, the same embodying in its construction a horizontally elongated housing 32 provided in one side thereof with a sight open= ing or window 34 while the top of the housing is equipped with a suitable door 36 through which access to the interior may be had for purposes of inspection or repair. Moreover, a service door 38 is provided on the slanting bottom of the housing, for the purpose of facilitating thelnsertion and removal of the display panels when the advertisin material is to be changed.

A frame consisting of a pair of spaced side plates 40 and a connecting cross member 42 is disposed in the housing 32, the side plates 40 of the frame bein rigidly secured to the housing, as is best shown in Figure 6.

A pair of downwardly and forwardly extending support straps 44 are secured to the rear wall of the housing 32 and provide guides or rests for a stack of individual display panels designated generally by the reference characters 46, these panels being nested one 'upon another while leaning against the straps 44 and the bottom of the stack being supported in a manner hereinafter to be described. 7

Each of these panels simply consists of a flat sheet of suitable material provided with advertising matter on both sides thereof while its end portions are angulated and doubled upon themselves as at 48, so that box-shaped channels may be secured to these angulated and doubled end portions, the channels, in turn, providin elongated recesses 50 which extend transversely of the panels and have open outer sides but closed ends, as is best shown in Figures 2 and 10.

The interior of the apparatus housing immediately behind the sight openin or window 34 may be described as an exhibiting station for the display panels 46, this station being designated by the reference character 52. The apparatus is so arranged that panels are individually and successively conveyed from the bottom of the stack to this exhibiting station, where they momentarily come to rest so that they may be properly observed, after which these panels are deposited at the top of the stack in an inverted position and gravitate to the bottom of the stack to complete the cycle of operation. However, during the next cycle of operation each panel is in an inverted position and when it ultimately arises to the exhibiting tation, the second side of the panel is exposed in the window 34, this arrangement permitting the use of both sides of the panel for advertising purposes, as aforesaid.

Means are provided, of course, not only for conveying the panels from the stack to the inspection station and back to the stack, but also for controlling, guiding andstabilizin the movement of the panels, these several means being provided in the :form of two duplicate groups, each group being disposed in one end portion of the housing 32, that is, in a close proximity to 4 one of the frame end members or pieces 4B. In---- asmuch as the two groups of mechanisms are similar in construction, it is believed that a de scription of one will suifice for both. a

The means for conveying the panels will first be described, these involvin the provision of a pair of rotary carriers, assuming the form of circular disks 54 provided with tubular extensions or bosses 56 containing a plurality of antifriction bearings 58 (see Figure 8) whereby the carriers are rotatably mounted on axially aligned stub shafts 60 secured to the aforementioned side pieces or members 40 of the frame. Each of the carrier disks 54 is disposed immediately adjacent a stationary cam member 62 secured to the adjacent end plate 40 by means of a suitable bracket 64, and a driving sprocket 66 is secured tothe extension or boss of both the carrier disks 54, substantially as shown.

It is to be noted that the cam members 62 are secured to their brackets 84 eccentrically relative to the axis of rotation of the carrier disks 54, and in addition, the cam members are provided with laterally offset marginal edge portions 68, as is best shown in Figure '7. A plurality of wire fin gers H! are provided on each of the carrier disks 54, each of these fingers having an angulated portion which is rigidly secured by welding, or the like, to a plate or strip I2 sl-idable in a guide 14 which, in turn, is secured to a supporting plate 16 (see Figure 14), a plurality of the fingers 70 being associated with each of the carrier disks 54 and the supporting plates 16 being disposed radially on each disk, substantially as shown. The inner ends of the plates 16 are secured to tubular bearings 18 which, in turn, are swingably mounted upon suitable pins secured in double angle brackets 82, these brackets being secured rigidly to the carrier disks 54. 'It is to be noted that by virtue 'of this arrangement, the plates 76 together with the guides 14 and slidable strips 12 are sw-ingable toward and away from the disks 54 as indicated at 84, the outward swinging oi the finger assemblies being restricted by U -shaped yokes 86 secured to the carrierdisks and straddling the strips 1 2, as is best shown in Figure 14. In addition, the strips 72 together with the fingers 10 are slidable radially relative to the disks 54, this being 'eife'cted, of course, by the slidable disposition of the strips 1-2 and the guides 14. However, suitable tension springs '88 are provided for urging the fingers T0 inwardly, that is, toward the center of the disks 54, the springs 88 being attached at one end to thefingers was at 90, while the inner ends of the springs are secured to the plates lliasat 92 (see Figure 14).

{The free end portions of the fingers 1B are angulated as at 94 so asto 'prov'ide an intermediate groove or channel 9'6 which is engageable with the periphery of the cam members 62, including the laterally offset peripheral portion 68, so that as the carrier disks 54 rotate on the stub shafts 60, the fingers Ill are subjected to movement in three directions,'that is, a rotary movement about the axis of the shafts 60, a radial sliding movement in the direction of the arrow 98 (see Figure 14) as created by the eccentric disposition of the cam members 62 relative to the shaft 60, and finally, an inward and outward movement indicated at 84 in Figure 14, as prompted by the engagement of the ringer grooves 96 with the laterally ofisetperipheral portion 68 of the cam members.

It should be explained at this point that the fingers 10 are receivable in the recesses '50 at the ends of the panels 46, the structure being so arranged that as the carrier disks 54 rotate in the direction of the arrow I00, a pair of the fingers is brought into engagement with the recesses 50 of the lowermost panel in the stack and the panel is withdrawn from the bottom of the stack and is delivered to the exhibitingstation 52. At that point the entire mechanism comes to rest, so that the exhibited panel may be effectively observed, after which operation of the apparatus is resumed and the exhibited panel is delivered to and deposited on the top of the stack in an inverted position, as will be clearly apparent from the accompanying Figure 9. While the panel is being thus conveyed, that is, from the bottom of the stack to the exhibiting station and to the top of the sack, the grooves 96 of the fingers I0 employed for motivating the panel engage the normal peripheral portion of the cam members 62, but when the panel is to be discharged on top of the stack, the grooves 96 of the fingers ride on the laterally offset portions 68 of the cam members, thus urging the fingers outwardly from the recesses 50 and permitting the exhibited panel to drop on top of the stack. As the rotation of the carrier disks 54 continues, the grooves 96 of the same fingers eventually ride off the laterally offset portion 68 of the cam members 62, at which point the free ends of the fingers are again engaged with the recesses 50 of the lowermost panel in the stack, thus repeating the cycle.

It is to be noted that suitable guides I02 are secured to the cross piece 42 of the mechanism frame immediately behind the exhibiting station 52, which guides effectively support the exhibited panels while being conveyed from the exhibiting station 52 to the top of the stack, as illustrated in Figure 9. It may be also noted in this connection that the exhibiting station 52 is disposed at a greater radial distance from the axis of rotation of the carrier disks 54 as compared to the location of the stack of panels, this being necessary to provide sufiicient clearance for the panels as they travel from the bottom of the stack to the exhibiting station and from the latter to the top of the stack. The fingers I0 efiectively compensate for this increased radial distance by sliding, with the strips I2, in the guides I4, but the springs 88, of course, tend to draw the fingers I0 toward the center of the disks 54, thus effectively maintaining the grooves 96 of the fingers in engagement with the periphery of the cam members 62, as will be clearly apparent. j t

It has been already stated that a plurality of the fingers I0 are associated with each of the disks 54, the preferred number of fingers on each disk being four, whereby one pair of fingers (on the two disks) may be engaged in conveying the lowermost panel from the stack to the exhibiting station, another pair of fingers'may be engaged in delivering another, already exhibited panel from the station 52 to the top of the stack, while a third pair of fingers has just completed delivering a previously exhibited panel to the top of the stack, and finally, while a fourth pair of fingers is in readiness to pick up the next panel from the bottom of the stack for delivery to the exhibiting station. This sequence of operation can be readily observed in Figure 9, wherein the reference character I04 indicates a panel en route to the exhibiting station, while I06 similarly indicates an exhibited panel en route t the top of the stack.

The sprockets 66 associated with the bosses 56 of the two carrier disks 54 are rotated by chain,

drives I08 engaging relatively smaller sprockets i H0 secured to a common drive shaft II2 which-- extends longitudinally in the lower portion of the housing 32 and is operatively connected at one end thereof to a combined motor and timing mechanism H4 disposed exteriorly at one end of the housing, as illustrated in Figure 1. This mechanism simply consists of an electric motor and a mechanical or electrical device of any conventional type for periodically interrupting the operation of the motor, so that all the apparatus within the housing is periodically brought to rest each time one of the panels 46 is exhibited in the sight opening or window 34, so that the advertising material on the panel may be perused by observers.

It is to be noted that the drive chains I08 pass over suitable idler sprockets H6 provided in the;

bottom portion of the housing, and that'the drive chains also engage additional sprockets IIB secured to a countershaft l2!) rotatably journaled in the upper portion of the housing, as is best shown in Figures 3, 6 and 9. The purpose of this countersliaft will be hereinafter more fully described.

It may be explained at this point that a plurality of electric lamps I22 are provided in the housing 32 for the purpose of illuminating the panels in the exhibiting station 52, the lamps I22, of course, receiving their supply of current independently of the driving motor so that the lamps remain energized even though the apparatus is not in motion when each panel is being exhibited.

The apparatus includes in its construction means for supporting the panels 46 in their stack in such manner that the lowermost panel may be easily withdrawn for conveyance to the exhibiting station, said means being best illustrated in the accompanying Figures 11, 12 and 13 and embodying in its construction a pair of projectable and retractable keeper forks I24, I26 which are slidable through the side members 40 of the frame in and out of the recesses 50 of the next lowermost and lowermost panels, respectively, in the stack.

The keeper forks I24, I26 are operatively connected by means of the connecting rods I28 to diametrically opposite throws or cranks of a crankshaft assembly I30 provided on a shaft I32 which is rotatably journaled in the housing 32 and is operatively connected by a bevel gear drive I34 to the aforementioned drive shaftfl I2 (see Figure 3) The crankshaft assembly I30 is housed in asuitable casing I36 provided exteriorly on the housing 32 adjacent the motor and timer unit I I 4 (see Figures 1 and 4), and it will be apparent that as the shafts H2, I32 rotate the crankshaft assembly I 30 will cause the keeper forks I24, I26 to alternately project into the recesses 50 of the respective next lowermost and lowermost panels in the stack. In other words, when the keeper fork I26 is projected into the recesses of the lowermost panel, the fork I2 1 is withdrawn so that the entire weight of the stack of panels is supported by the fork I26. as a pair of the fingers 10 are brought into engagement with the lowermost panel so as to withdraw the latter from the bottom of the stack and conveyed to the exhibiting station 52, the keeper forks I26 are gradually withdrawn from the recesses of the lowermost panel, while, at the same time, the'keeper forks I24 are inserted into the However,

recesses of the next lowermost panel, whereby the weight of the panels above the next lowermost panel in the stack is supported by th next lowermost panel, so that the withdrawal of the lowermost panel is facilitated. Subsequently, when the lowermost panel is withdrawn by the fingers I6, the keeper forks I24 are also withdrawn from the next lowermost panel so that the latter is permitted to drop by gravity to the lowermost position, in which it is engaged by the forks I26 as will be clearly apparent.

As an alternative form of construction, the keeper forks I24, I26 may be substituted by similar forks I38, I 40, respectively, as illustrated in Figures 20, 21. The forks I38, I46 are connected 5 by suitable connecting rods I342 to crank pins I44 provided in diametrically opposite relation on a pair of simultaneously rotatable disks I46. These disks are secured to independent but simultaneously rotatable shafts M8 which, in turn, are operatively connected through the medium of bevel gearing I56 and pinions I52 to a common drive gear I54 attached to the boss 56 of each of the carrier disks 54 immediately adjacent the aforementioned sprocket 66.

This alternative arrangement is structurally different but performs the same function as the arrangement disclosed in Figures 11, 12 and 13.

It may be explained at this point that the aforementioned idler sprockets I I6 (see Figure 3) assure that the drive chain I68 does notinterfere with the keeper fork mechanisms I24, I26 or I38, I40, as the case may be.

Means are provided in the apparatus for stabilizing and controlling the movement of the :z.

panels as they are deposited on top of the stack, which means are particularly useful when the invention is installed on a vehicle, or the like, and is thus subjected to considerable vibration which, if permitted to occur, may have a tendency to impair proper operation of the keeper fork mechanisms I24, I26 or I38, I40.

These last-mentioned means are best illustrated in the accompanying Figures 16-19 inclusively, involving the provision of a pair of armshaped members I56 which are provided with laterally projecting pivot pins I58 whereby they are swingably mounted in horizontal, tubular bearings I66, rigidly secured to suitable brackets I62 provided in the housing 32, as will be clearly apparent from the accompanying drawings.

The arms I56 are provided at the sides thereof with rotatable, disk-shaped or roller-shaped followers I64 which engage suitable cams I66 secured to the aforementioned counter-shaft I26. By virtue of these cams, the members I56 are swingabie from the position shown in Figure 17 to that illustrated in Figure 16 but suitable tension springs I68 extend between the members I56 and the housing 32, whereby the members are urged to the position shown in Figure 17, as will be readily understood.

The members I56 are also provided with'laterally projecting bosses I'III carrying forwardly projecting rods I72 which, in turn, carry rotatable rollers or ball bearings I74, these rollers being engageable with the end portions of the panels 46 when the members I56 are in the position shown in Figure 17. In addition, the members I56 are provided with adjustable extension rods I16 which are adjustably secured in the members by suitable set screws I76 see Figure 18), the extension rods I16 having angulated outer end portions carrying rotatable rollers or ball bearings I80 which are engageable with the end portions of the panels 46 when the members I56;

are in the position shown in Figure 16.

The cams I66, being secured to the countershaft I20, are so synchronized with the operation of the remaining mechanism that they-cause the rollers I14 to engage the ends of a panel as;

it is being deposited on top of the stack as shown in Figure 17, thus effectively guiding and urging the panel to its deposited position on top of thestack, as indicated by the arrow I82. This urg-l ing and guiding action is performed, of course,

the panels in the stack from vibrating or otherwise becoming displaced. Needless to say, the adjustment facilitated by the screws I18 may be i .i varied, that is, the extension rods I16 may be slid upwardly or downwardly in the members I56, so

that the rollers I86 may engage the uppermost panel in the stack regardless of the number of panels employed.

To further assist in the guiding and stabilizing of the panels in the stack, an arrangement illustrated in the accompanying Figures '22, 23 may be employed, this arrangement involving the provision of projectable and retractable detent arms;

I84 which are pivotally or hingedly attached to the side members 46 of the frame, as at I86, together with arcuate leaf springs I88 which are secured as at I90 to the side members 46 and bear against the detent arms 18d so that free end portions of the latterextend through suitable openings I92 in the side members 46 to engage the recesses 50 of intermediate panels in the stack. In other words, the detent arms I84 stabilize the panels in the stack, but are retractables against the resiliency of the springs I88 when the panels progressively descend toward the bottom of the stack.

When this arrangement is employed, the ex-- tension rods I16 and rollers I86 on the guiding members I56 may be eliminated, so that the, guiding members assume a relatively short form as indicated at I94 in Figure '22, but the mem-' bers I94 are still provided with the panel engaging and guidingrollers I96 similar to the aforementioned rollers I14, and suitable tension springs I96 are employed for urging the rollers I96 in engagement with the ends of the panels while the latter are being deposited on thetoo of the stack, as in the previous instance.

I It is believed that the advantages and use ofthe invention will be clearly apparent from the While in the foregoing there has been shownand described the preferred embodiment of this invention it is to be understood that minor changes in the details of construction, combina-z tion and arrangement of parts may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a display apparatus, the combination of a plurality of individual display panels nested one upon another in a stack and having displaymaterial on upper and lower surfaces thereof," a pair of rotary carriers provided at the ends of said panels and including a set of conveying fingers which are movable inand out of engage-:

ment fwith the ends of said panels whereby the latter may be individually and successively conveyed from the bottom of the lstack to an exhibiting station and thereafterdeposited in an inverted position at the top of the stack, means for rotating said carriers, and a pairof stationary cam members mounted adjacent the respective carriers, said fingers being engageable with said cam members when the carriers are rotated, whereby to move th fingers in and out of engagement with said panels.

2. In a display apparatus, the combination of a frame, a plurality of individual display panels nested one upon another in a stack supported by said frame, said panels being provided at opposite ends thereof with finger receiving recesses, a pair of rotary carriers mounted on said frame at the ends of said panels and including a set of fingerswhich are movable in and out of said recesses whereby said panels may be individually and successively conveyed from the bottom of the stack to an exhibiting station and thereafter deposited in an inverted position at the top of the stack, means for rotating said carriers, a pair of stationary cam members each secured to said frame adjacent one of said carriers, said fingers engaging said cam members whereby they are moved in and out of said recesses in predetermined synchronization with the rotation of the carriers, projectable and retractable keepers slidable in said frame and receivable in the recesses of the next lowermost panel in the stack, said keepers being operatively connected to said carriers whereby they may supportably engage the next lowermost panel while the lowermost panel is being removed from the stack, and means pro vided in said frame for guiding said panels while in conveyance from the exhibiting station to the top of the stack. I

3. The device as defined in Claim 2, together with additional propectable and retractable keepers slidable in said frame and receivable in the recesses of the lowermost panel in the stack, said last-mentioned keepers being operatively connected to said carriers and, cooperating alternately with the first-mentioned keepers for supporting the superimposed panels.

4. The device as defined in claim 2 wherein a panel at the exhibiting station is disposed at a greater radial distance from said ca ri than the panels in the stack, said carriers including means for facilitating radial sliding of said fingers toward and away from the exhibiting station.

5. The device as defined in claim 2, together With a housing provided on said frame and formed with a sight opening at the exhibiting station of said panels.

6. The device as defined in claim 2, together with means for controlling and stabilizing the exhibited panels during depositing thereof at the top of the stack, said last-mentioned means including a pair of arm-shaped panel engaging members swingably mounted on said frame adjacent the top of the stack of panels and operatively connected to said carriers.

'7. The device as defined in claim 2, together with means for stabilizing said "panels in the stack, said last-mentioned meansincluding a set of resiliently actuated detents provided on said frame and receivable in the recesses of the stacked panels.

8. The device as defined in claim 2, wherein.

said cam members are substantially"disk-shaped and are mounted eccentrically relative to the axis of rotation of said carriers, marginal edges of said cam members being provided with lateral ofisets and being engaged by saidfingers whereby the latter are movable radially and axially with the rotation of said carriers.

ENRIQUE MdNsERRAT.

REFERENCES CITEl) *The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

